Letters to the Editor

Support AHS

TO THE EDITOR:

The Texarkana, Ark., School District has been in the news lately—not at all for the good—and it is heart-rending. We have children who are growing up in a hurry.

It’s been made out that it is a crime-ridden district run amuck. That is simply not true. The true tragedy is the inevitable blame game and finger-wagging that surrounds it all.

Sure, there are bumps in the road. There always will be. But it is how we react to adversity that is important. This is a time of coming together. This is a time where we should all get back involved with the school district even if your kids have graduated or you have no kids at all. Being an alumnus doesn’t mean getting out and getting away from the district— means giving back.

I see the school on a regular basis by substitute teaching a few days each month at the high school. I specifically chose Arkansas High and the Arkansas Area Vocation School (on the Arkansas High campus) because they suit me. I also serve on the AHS community advisory board. Being hands-on has given me a profound respect for the leadership, the faculty and, more importantly, the students.

I see students’ faces filled with hope and determination to get a quality education and the diligence to do the right thing daily to change students’ lives.

Students take inspiration from each other’s successes and believe that there will be a president of the United States who will be an AHS alum. It is that same belief that tells them that the Ivy League is within reach.

AHS has a place for all students to get involved, whether it be ROTC, athletics, cheer, band, music or student council. Students leave the vocational center workforce ready

Arkansas High has a small-school, familial sense on a campus that amounts to seven or more city blocks—something that is hard to make work. But it does work. I see the value of my tax dollars.

But AHS can’t go it alone anymore. It needs to be embraced by a supportive community. Lisa McDermott Texarkana, Ark.

Gun rights

TO THE EDITOR:

We elect people to vote for what we want, but we have an obligation to let them know how we feel about certain issues. All of them know how to count votes. Sen. Diane Feinstein has been waiting for a good excuse to re-introduce the 1994 assault rifle ban. She has added more guns and restrictions to it. They use the word assault to make people think that they are fully automatic. Any weapon can be an assault weapon. The 1994 ban was sponsored by senators Feinstein and Joe Biden. The Columbine shooting happened in 1995. When the 1994 bill was passed, Feinstein said that if she had the votes she would take up all the guns in the U.S.A. I understand that she and her husband both have had concealed carry permits for years. I am sure that she has armed security in D.C. Everybody should know that nuts and criminals do not abide by laws. A gun-free zone is an invitation to them. The only thing that deters them is somebody with a means to stop them. Our president said that if he saved one life it would be worth it. How many lives will be lost because of stricter laws? I wonder how many of the anti-gun people are against abortion. I heard that there have been 48 million babies killed since Roe v. Wade was upheld. William W. Rayburn

Texarkana, Ark.

Prostate cancer

TO THE EDITOR: I am sure that most Americans have their priorities as to what major issues they will address in this new year. I personally would like to share with my friends and others whose issues are more about their health care. I speak more to the early detection of prostate cancer and the best alternative to a cure or a state of stability. I am not in any respect an authority on this issue, but I can relate to some statistics from experience as a patient. I am fortunate that after various medications and procedures, I am clinically tested in a normal range. This does not mean that I am cured but certainly indicates that some state of stability is in order. I can assure you that some men may not have the same symptoms or reactions to this illness nor will every man respond to the same treatments I take my views on this subject as food for thought but in reality a hint to the wise should be sufficient. I take sides with those who consider early detection of any illness for it is the first law of nature to respond to one’s medical needs. There are current statistics that more black men in America are being tested with advanced prostate cancer because of the lack of early screening. I do not consider this observation as a racial slur nor an act of stereotyping but a positive note of concern regardless to race, creed or color. It would be foolish to think that a letter to the editor would resolve this issue. I say the sound voice of more Americans about early testing would promote the most positive approach to any disease/illness. I pledge a continuance of voice awareness to early testing of prostate cancer and hope others will join in whereas the life you save may be your own. Morris Neighbors

Atlanta, Texas

We invite our readers to share their opinions in the Letters to the Editor column. Please write us at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504.

Letters also may be faxed to 903-794-3315, or emailed to opinion@texarkanagazette.com.

We welcome letters up to 350 words in length on any public issue.

Letters are subject to editing and may be edited for legal considerations and length. We do not publish letters written to other publications. Each letter becomes the property of the Texarkana Gazette, and must include the writer's name, address, signature and daytime telephone number for verification.

Publication is limited to one letter per contributor within a 60-day period.

Letters will be published with names unless otherwise justified by special circumstances.